January/February 2001

Louisiana Red
Live In Montreux
Labor Records

By Bill Milkowski

For a taste of eccentric acoustic slide guitar playing in the Delta tradition, check out Louisiana Red's Live in Montreux. Recorded in 1975 at the famed festival in Switzerland, this one documents one of the few remaining links to the blues giants of the past while he was still in his prime. On raw, rockin' renditions of Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me" and originals like "First Degree" and "Held Up in One Town," Red delivers riveting vocals while showing the profound influence of Elmore James.